Circa 1911 “Red Sox Quartette” Pinback and Business Card (2 Items)

If given the opportunity, the convergence of four Irishmen usually results in some sort of conspiracy. So demonstrating is this unusual souvenir pin and corresponding business card proclaiming the wonders of an itinerant singing quartet … all of whom were also rostered with the Boston Red Sox. The principals were Marty McHale, Buck O’Brien, Hugh Bradley, and Bill Lyons. For one of their musical performances (on a certain "Dec. 25"), the group commissioned the making of photographic lapel pins to emphasize their upcoming appearance. From that pin production, there remains this offered piece. Yet in NM/MT condition, the 7/8" pin pictures the four part-time crooners, smartly clad in their Red Sox ball suits. Complementing the pin is an original business card identifying each of the performers and their fame as "Members of the Boston American League Baseball Team." The card is in EX/MT condition qualified only by slight roughing at the upper edge.

Bill Lyons, by the way, was kinda the odd-man-out in this group. They needed somebody to hit the low notes – which Lyons could evidently do, but it’s equally evident that he had little aptitude for baseball. Mattered not … he was signed by the Boston Red Sox for the exclusive purpose of performing with the "Red Sox Quartette," but he never made a Major League appearance. The "Quartette" commenced in 1911 (the only year all four dressed for the Sox) , but they were compelled to disband three years later as their day jobs cast each of them afar. And on a final "note" … in later years, an unsuccessful attempt was made to reunite the Irish group as "Blarney and Friends."